<b>Chapter </b>64
Lydia
“Where did that fcker take you to?” he did let me go, and I didn’t try to get away from his embrace. I didn’t get a chance to speak because Marcus went on, “I was worried sick, Lydia, I thought…” he inhaled sharply.
“I’m sorry I made you worried,” I said. He released me, brushing some strands of hair off my face. His fingertips were warm against
mine.
“Let’s take you to your seat.” He said, and I nodded. But we moved to the couch instead.
He covered my hand in his. His eyes are wrinkled with worry.
“You don’t need to worry too much. I am fine. Honestly,” I said. He didn’t look convinced.
“How long have you been waiting for me?” I questioned, and he just shrugged his shoulders.
“You weren’t picking up your phone.” He says.
That reminds me <b>that </b>my <b>phone </b>is not with me. “I left my bag in the hall. Did you get it?” I asked, d that I could shift the conversation. Honestly, I don’t know how he’d react if he found out that I have been with Mason
The thought of Mason made me rememberst night, and I felt my cheeks go warm. I inhaled and fanned myself with my hand.
“I left in hope of going after Mason when he drove off, but that damn guy took a turn and he…” he sighs, “it’s not nice to be new to <b>a </b>ce. I wished I had gone sightseeing with Andrew when he asked.” He said.
“Too bad it wasn’t the street in Florence; he wouldn’t have stood a chance.” Iughed at his words.
However, a part of me was grateful that he didn’t go after Mason. If he had followed Mason to his penthouse, they would have ended up in a fight cause I knew how stubborn Mason could be.
And then I’d have died because they wo
would have left me alone to fight it out. I shudder at the thought of that.
“But you’re fine?” I can tell he wanted to be sure; his lips were pressed together.
“Hmmm.” I nodded.
He went ahead to tell me that he wanted to go to my house, but then called Mia first. It was Mia who told him that I wasn’t in the hospital and that I was fine.
We were quiet, both staring straight ahead. I needed to get to work; it was already piling up, but I couldn’t just tell him to leave.
Marcus was a workaholic too, and if he could take out time toe check on me, maybe I could pretend to want his care and stay
output.
He twisted his lips to the side, and I knew he was curious about something from the way he stared at me.
“What truly happened to you? I watched the CCTV camera of the party, up to the point when you were rushed out. My eyes widened briefly when he said that. Mason and had held hands. Did he watch that?
He must have watched the point where Mason had refused to let my hands go. If he did watch it, I don’t know; his facial expressions didn’t give anything away.
<b>1/4 </b>
“Nothing happened to you had my suspletans that Mason did something to you, but I had to pick that on ust <b>stood </b><b>and </b>fell. He sounded genuinely worried. Like this was math, and he was having a hard time solving
<b>He </b>is staring at me, I pressed my lips together.
“I am allergic to nuts,“I began, but paused to give him time to take in what I had just said,
“You are?” He sounded genuinely surprised, “but you…“I nodded.
I don’t know why I did that. I want to say, but I could tell from his gaze that he wouldn’t believe me.
“I was just craving some…” I exhale withoutpleting my words, but he knows what I meant, “plus I had some pills in <b>my </b>bag, could have easily suppressed it.”
“Howe I didn’t know about this?” He asked himself, as though he had an important prize, if information passed by
“Things change.”
“Mason didn’t take you to the hospital.” We were back on the topic.
“No, he took me to his penthouse, he had the pills.” There was no need to hide anything, Mason was my ex–husband, and Marcus is well…
Just Marcus. I have nothing to be guilty about.
“He also has an allergy?” He <b>asked</b>, and I shook my head.
I could see the questions in his <b>eyes </b>and was d he didn’t ask it. I’m as confused as he is. I don’t understand why Mason had my
pills in his penthouse when we divorced years ago.
And why was our wedding photo still hanging in that room?
That was the room m we used each time we were at the penthouse, and it didn’t seem like anything had been moved.
“Well, Marcus, I know I made you worry, and I deserve everything you decide to do. I’m sorry.” I smiled at him.
His features soltened.
“I should be apologizing. I wasn’t there when you needed me most.” He said.
We finally moved past that conversation.
“So…” he began. I looked at him. His hair wasbed nearly to the back with some strands left falling to
“So…I continued, giving him the <b>push </b>to continue.
he front.
“You are still hellbent on getting revenge
against
Mason?” “Of course,” I said.
“Then,” he paused and adjusted so he was facing me. I held my breath. I don’t know why I feel like I won’t like what he was about to say next.
“Use me.”
If I had something in my mouth, I’d definitely have choked on it if everything I expected him to say, I didn’t expect tha
I regained myposure, cleared my throat, then Iughed and nudged him yfully. This all fac
I wa him yesterday, this is a fact he is unaware of
But who would <b>have </b>thought it wasn’t going to be something in my head, that Marcus would really be.
“I’m serious<b>. </b>
Myugh stopped.
I know he is, and maybe I’m d he is.
“Use me to get your revenge.
“How would I do that?” I asked.
“You know.” He said, and I held my breath, “to make him jealous, anything I don’t mind.”
“I don’t want to hurt you,” I say softly, and this is true. I don’t want to end up hurting him.
“I want to do this. You won’t agree to date me yet, then please agree to use me.” I couldn’t hold back my smile
“We only date those we love. We don’t even like each other. Why would we date?” I questioned and then stood. He must be offended because the next moment, he pulled me back to my seat and sat closer to me..
“Speak for yourself, Alissa, I know you don’t like me, but how can you be so sure about both our feelings at the same time?! blinked rapidly, feeling his breath fall on my skin.
Marcus liked me. I knew this, but since he had never outrightly expressed it, I didn’t allow myself to confront that fact, but now
Much to my relief, his phone buzzed, interrupting the moment. Unwrapping his hold on me, he picked up his phone and turned the
screen to me.
“It’s Mia.” He says. He touched the earbuds, I didn’t notice. I don’t have to wonder why Mia was speaking to him instead of me. My phone isn’t with me, so technically, I was currently phoneless.
“She says Mason is here. Should she let him in?” He asked, and I bit down on my lips. Do I want to see Mason right now? I wonder
Then I nodded, “<b>yes</b>.”
start now.” He said.
After the call, Marcus pulled me closer to himself, “You’ve agreed to use me, we can star
I like the fact that we are not dwelling on his confessions, and I hope we never get to confront it again,
He snaked his hand over my waist and pulled me closer. I ced my hand on his chest, feeling it firm from over his suit.
“I just have to make him jealous, right?” He said.
“You may end up getting so much into this character,” I said.
“I already am.” He leaned over and whispered to my ear. We heard footsteps, and before the door opened, Marcus grabbed my face gently with both hands, pulled it towards him, and met my lips with his
His lips stayed in mine without moving, and <b>we </b>could hear the gasp from behind us. I wanted to turn, and maybe I’d
ly have,
if one of his hands didn’t quickly wrap around me to keep me in ce, and he gently started moving his lips.
10:57
12 <b>Aug </b>
Marcus <b>was </b>kissing me.
Mason was behind us, watching us.
I didn’t kiss him back and gently tapped his chest, giving him signs to stop. There was something off about the kiss, it didn’t ignite anything within me.
Unlike Mason’s
Marcus stopped and slowly moved his face away.
I turned slowly to look behind me.
Mason looked stunned, his fists clenched beside him. <b>I </b><b>can </b>tell it’s taking all he can to hold back himself.
“Lydia.” He called in a low voice.
“What an unpleasant surprise. Why are you here, Mr. Woods?”
AD